Leadership hire positions AAB’s Corporate Finance team in Edinburgh to build on success

Leading professional services firm AAB has appointed Paul Turner as Corporate Finance Partner, further strengthening its expanding Corporate Finance Team in Central Scotland. 

In his new role, Paul will lead AAB’s Corporate Finance team in Edinburgh, working closely with Iain Walker and colleagues across Central Scotland and beyond. 

Paul brings over 15 years of experience in mergers and acquisitions and financial due diligence, having most recently been a key member of the Corporate Finance team at Forvis Mazars. He has advised on a wide range of transactions including company sales, acquisitions, management buy-outs, and fundraises, working with large corporates, privately owned businesses, private equity investors, and lenders. 

AAB’s Corporate Finance team continues to go from strength to strength, completing 63 deals in FY25 and 15 transactions already in Q1 of FY26. The firm has continually ranked as Scotland’s top financial adviser for M&A activity by volume, according to Experian’s United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland M&A Review, retaining its number one position. 

Gordon Steele, Head of Corporate Finance at AAB, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome Paul to lead our team in Edinburgh. He brings the ideal blend of technical expertise, client focus and leadership that aligns with our ambitions in Central Scotland. Renowned for his commercial acumen and hands-on deal leadership, Paul has a proven track record of delivering high-profile, complex transactions to successful outcomes. He brings a strong network and a highly personalised approach to client service, developing trusted relationships and advising shareholders and stakeholders through the critical stages of a deal process. 

With growth in deal volumes of over 50% last year, Paul’s appointment will help us build on that strong performance and continue delivering outstanding results for our clients.” 

Whilst the UK M&A market continues to evolve there remains strong appetite for high-quality opportunities, particularly in resilient sectors such as technology, healthcare, energy, manufacturing and financial services. Owner-managed businesses are increasingly focused on succession planning, while larger corporates and private equity investors continue to pursue buy-and-build strategies to accelerate growth. International buyers also remain active across the UK, targeting quality businesses as part of their strategic expansion. 

In response to these market dynamics, AAB has seen significant growth in valuation, financial projection, and due diligence work, as businesses prepare earlier for transactions and look to get ahead of a more rigorous due diligence process. The firm’s proactive approach ensures clients are ‘deal ready’ and well positioned to achieve optimal outcomes. 

Stuart Rose, Head of Edinburgh at AAB, added: It is fantastic to have Paul join the leadership team in Edinburgh. Paul’s appointment is a key step in building on the success already achieved by the Corporate Finance team here in Edinburgh and across Central Scotland. His expertise and leadership will play a crucial role in strengthening local relationships and delivering great outcomes for our clients, working collaboratively with colleagues across AAB’s local network and beyond.” 

AAB’s Corporate Finance team supports clients across the UK, Ireland, and internationally. The team provides a comprehensive range of services including M&A advisory, due diligence, valuations, fundraising support, business recovery and insolvency, and litigation support. 

Since securing investment from August Equity in 2021, AAB has trebled in size and now employs more than 1,000 people. The rapid growth journey is set to continue as part of delivering its ambitious growth strategy for 2030.